Anti-immigration protest 'demands' access to Leinster House
A large anti-immigration protest has gathered outside Leinster House and are demanding to be allowed to address the chamber. The protest, organised by failed Kerry election candidate Michelle Keane, marched from the GPO. The front gates to Leinster House have been closed, with protesters gathering right up to where the vehicular entrance is. Workers in Leinster House were encouraged to remove their access badges when leaving the building and advised not to exit via the Kildare Street entrance. Ms Keane wrote to all TDs and Senators on Monday evening advising them of the protest and demanding that it be allowed into Leinster House. The letter called for 100 people to be let into Leinster House to address politicians. The letter read: "On Tuesday, July 8 2025, over 100 Irish citizens will march peacefully from the GPO to Leinster House under the banner 'The People's Right to Dissolve the Dail'. "We are writing to formally demand that you facilitate our entry into Dáil Éireann to allow representatives of the Irish people to speak directly before parliament. This is not a symbolic gesture - it is a democratic action grounded in the principle that: The Irish Government was established by the Irish people, and it can only be "disestablished or reformed by the Irish people. "As elected members of the Oireachtas, you have the power and duty to request access through the Superintendent of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and to stand with the people you were elected to serve. We ask that you do so without delay. "If the Dail is truly the house of the people, it must not be locked against them in their hour of national concern A refusal to allow a peaceful, constitutional address by citizens would be a direct violation of the spirit of the Republic, and an abdication of democratic responsibility. "Let history record where each member of the Oireachtas stood on this day. We respectfully demand your immediate action to ensure we may enter Leinster House and speak peacefully as citizens of Ireland - united across 32 counties, regardless of background or tradition, in one common goal: national renewal." On a livestream of the protest, Ms Keane told the crowd that they wanted "to do this peacefully". She added: "We are Irish citizens and we are not going to let ourselves down here today." She also suggested that a Garda had gone into Leinster House to ask the Superintendent to come out and speak to the crowd. A man could be heard on the video saying, "There are people ready to go through these gates." Barriers are usually set up around Leinster House when protests take place to push groups back onto Molesworth Street. However, no barriers were constructed on this occasion. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
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